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Boulder, CO - The recent surge in demand for barndominiums has created a great sales opportunity for the post-frame supply community. SmartBuild Systems’ software has been the gold standard for post-frame buildings for nearly a decade, and now it gets even better - SBS Software designs buildings using steel framing and metal panels for walls.

Portland, OR — From Cottagecore and New Colonial, to Eclectic Grandpa and Coastal Grandma, social media has spurred its share of home décor styles and trends. But not all trends have names. That's how the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA) came to dub an emerging exterior trend as “Master Mixologist.” Master Mixologist describes how homeowners are mixing and matching not only different exterior colors, but a variety of material types and options, and using them in atypical ways to create customized curb appeal.

Davidson, NC - The commercial building industry is changing rapidly. Architects, developers, builders, contractors and fabricators are searching for innovative – and cost-effective – solutions that will enable them to work quickly and safely while still delivering high-quality, sustainable finished projects. One such solution is prefabricated (pre-fab) construction, a method that helps to streamline the building process and produce beautiful results.

Newton, MA - Metal roofing continues to claim a larger part of the market, and with that growth there is a demand for more qualified installers. METALCON - which will be held Oct. 30 thru Nov. 1 in Atlanta - is offering the opportunity to obtain hands-on experience, observing and installing metal roofing on the trade show floor. New to the tradeshow in 2024 is the Metal Construction Association’s Metal Mastery area.

Boulder, CO - "Let’s face it: if you’re in sales, no matter the industry, presentation is key. Suppliers and contractors selling post-frame buildings, shops, garages, and even barndominiums, are all equally affected by presentation," writes Royden Wagler of SmartBuild Systems. "A 3D modeling software product like SmartBuild provides a visual advantage like never before."

Preparing a “fire hardened” home is essential as wildfires threaten more U.S. and Canadian regions than ever before. Leading residential trade organizations such as the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA) and wildfire safety experts say it is up to homeowners to take steps now to help their home survive a wildfire. That includes paying heed to the four “S’s”—Structures, Spacing, Selection and Sprucing.

In the realm of modern architecture, innovation is the cornerstone of progress. It's the spark that ignites creativity and allows architects and designers to redefine the boundaries of possibility. At Norbec, we invite you to embark on a journey with us as we unveil our latest masterpiece – Architectural Elements | fins. These elegant and versatile design elements are revolutionizing building envelopes, adding a new dimension of both aesthetics and functionality. In this blog, we'll delve into the world of Architectural Elements | Fins, exploring their myriad applications and the boundless possibilities they offer to architects, builders, and dreamers of architectural excellence.

Last year, raging fires destroyed much of Lahaina, a historic resort town located on the island of Maui. An image that quickly went viral showed the burnt remnants of homes once populating the scenic tropical coastline. Each had been reduced to ashes and debris except one—a nearly 100-year-old dwelling that just the year before was fitted with a standing seam metal roof.

Laurel, MT - Insulated metal panels (IMPs) can be challenging to lift, move, and install on the jobsite. Before vacuum lifting changed the game, the weight and size of IMPs required extra time, extra muscle, and extra equipment. More importantly, other handling methods posed a greater risk for personal injury and load damage.

Aurora, CO - As a business owner, it’s important to take advantage of every opportunity to save on taxes. Contractors and manufacturers who purchase new rollforming equipment may be eligible for a significant tax deduction on their machine by taking advantage of Section 179 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, which offers substantial tax benefits for qualifying equipment purchases.

Bossier City, LA – Installing a new roof is an investment, not just in terms of money but in the protection of your customers’ property. It’s a vital component of the property that provides protection and greatly impacts property value. With its 50-to-60-year life expectancy and warranties, metal roofing has an acknowledged advantage.

Whiting, IN - In a significant development for coastal construction projects across the Hawaiian Islands, Armored Coast, the renowned metal roofing solution celebrated for its exceptional durability and resilience, has now made its debut in Hawaii. This milestone marks an important step in advancing coastal roof protection in the region. Armored Coast will redefine standards for roofing excellence in Hawaii's unique environment, both for the unique composition of metal and for the warranties for homeowners.

Davidson, NC - The design of educational buildings is about more than functionality; instead it’s about creating spaces that encourage curiosity and an enthusiasm for learning. By incorporating durable and sustainable ALUCOBOND with its imaginative range of brilliant colors and rich finishes, architects are able to generate building designs that, when implemented, promote an enthusiasm for discovery.

Portland, OR — Homeowners take heed: The prime time for thunder, lightning and hailstorms is on the way, with two-thirds of lightning-related fires occurring between June and August. With that in mind, how do you separate fact from fiction when it comes to protecting your home from one of Mother Nature’s most powerful forces? Take the following pop quiz.

Fairefax, MN – The concept of human flight is virtually as old as humankind. Ever since man first walked the earth, he has dreamed of ascending above it. Mike Schweiss, founder of Hector, MN-based Schweiss Doors, fulfilled a piece of that dream with his first solo flight behind the controls of a Cessna 172 in 1991. Although he continued to fly after earning his license, Mike was sidetracked with an occupation that gave a distinct boost to the world of aviation.

Aurora, CO - "Standing seam metal roofing is a popular option for both residential and commercial buildings due to its durability, weather resistance, and attractive color and style options. Standing seam metal roofs generally fall into the categories of snap lock and mechanical seam profiles," writes Rick Zand of New Tech Machinery. In this article, he provides detailed comparisons.

Boucherville, Quebec, Canada – In the realm of building construction materials and energy efficiency, two key terms often surface: R-value and U-value. Both are critical in determining how well a building is insulated, but they offer different insights as to how a given material will help the overall building’s thermal performance.

Portland, OR — The month of April and celebrating Earth Day are perfect reminders of how every improvement decision homeowners make has a major impact on the planet. That's the message being conveyed to home and property owners by the Metal Roofing Alliance.

Whiting, IN – Let’s hear it for fair trade practices. Backed by rigorous investigations, the U.S. The Department of Commerce has determined some bad actors and initiated a process to financially counter those found to be at fault. At the forefront of preliminary fines are China, Mexico, Turkey, and Indonesia. At the time of reading this, US Customs and Border Protection will be collecting these preliminary duties against those countries in question. This current action itself is only one step which is focused on countervailing, or offsetting, subsidies provided to the countries by their domestic governments, but it stated more fines are soon approaching.

Muskegon, MI - Anodized aluminum exhibits a natural metallic beauty that makes it a preferred choice by designers and architects. The reason these finishes look like metal is because the anodize layer is transparent, allowing a clear view of the base aluminum to show through. All aluminum can be anodized. However, there are many different alloys (series) of aluminum which will produce different colors when anodized.